1 Timothy 5:23

Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.

1 Timothy 5:23 (KJV)

Context

The apostle Paul wrote 1 Timothy to his young coworker in ministry, Timothy, offering guidance for the church and personal encouragement. In this verse, Paul turns to Timothy’s physical health, showing that his care extended beyond spiritual matters to everyday well-being.

Meaning

Paul advises Timothy to stop drinking only water and to use “a little wine” for his stomach’s sake and frequent infirmities. In the first-century Mediterranean world, water was often contaminated and unsafe, so wine was commonly used as a safer alternative. The phrase “a little wine” emphasizes moderation and medicinal purpose, not excess or habitual drinking. Paul’s counsel is specific to Timothy’s situation, not a universal command for all believers to drink wine.

Application

This verse reminds believers that God cares about physical health. Seeking remedies for ailments is not wrong when approached with wisdom and moderation. Timothy’s ascetic practice of drinking only water had harmed his health, and Paul corrected it, showing that self-denial should not impair one’s ability to serve the Lord. Believers today can apply this by caring for their bodies and using practical means to maintain strength for God’s work.

Reflection

Paul’s personal attention to Timothy’s stomach troubles reveals a model of care that values the whole person. It encourages believers to balance spiritual devotion with sensible care for their physical needs, trusting that such care is part of faithful service.